Anyone Over Seven Years Old Can Be Charged in Court – Nigeria Police

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that individuals over the age of seven can be charged in court, a statement that has sparked significant public outcry following the recent arraignment of protesters.

Force spokesperson Muyiwa Ogunjobi made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Friday, defending the recent court proceedings against 76 minors arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protests that occurred from August 1 to 10, 2024. The minors have been charged with treason and other related offenses.

In a troubling incident, one of the minors reportedly fainted during the court session on Friday. Each of the arrested individuals was subsequently granted bail set at N10 million.

The police’s handling of the situation has drawn widespread condemnation from various sectors of Nigerian society. Ogunjobi confirmed that all of the charged protesters are over the age of seven, emphasizing, “None of them is less than seven. The fact that you are 13 years old does not mean you can’t be charged to court.”

This statement has garnered criticism from notable figures, including Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party. Abubakar condemned the charges, highlighting that the minors are victims of the current administration’s harsh policies.

Organizations such as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have also called on the government of President Bola Tinubu and the judiciary to release the 76 minors, urging a reassessment of the legal actions taken against them in light of their age.